June 25, 2018 10:07am EDTJune 25, 2018 10:07am EDTThe Egyptian great becomes the World Cup's oldest player vs. Saudi Arabia on Monday, but where does he stand among the continent's top keepers?Where does Essam El Hadary rank among Africa’s greatest goalkeepers?

Goal

1

View FullscreenClose

Joseph-Antoine Bell of Cameroon

5. Joseph-Antoine Bell jostled with Thomas N'Kono for a starting spot throughout the late 1970s, 80s and early 90s, with Bell often getting the nod at the Afcon, and N’Kono taking his place at the World Cup. The former won the continental crown in 1984 and 1988, and was part of the team that reached the final eight in the 1990 World Cup in Italy—breaking new ground for African nations.

2

View FullscreenClose

Kazadi Mwamba of Zaire, Brazil's Jairzinho

4. Kazadi Mwamba: While Zaire’s team in 1974 has become something of a morbid joke after their miserable—if memorable—showing at the World Cup in West Germany, that team ought to be remembered as one of the continent’s greatest-ever sides. Twice Kazadi won the Nations Cup with the Central Africans, and was also named Player of the Tournament in 1968. He may have been replaced in disgrace against Yugoslavia during the World Cup, but he remains a hero at Tout Puissant Mazembe.

3

View FullscreenClose

Bruce Grobbelaar

3. Bruce Grobbelaar never played in an Africa Cup of Nations, and he certainly didn’t have the raw natural ability of N’Kono or Bell, however, as the only one of the continent’s stoppers to win the Uefa Champions League, he deserves consideration on this list. As well as that glorious success—and he and his bendy legs were influential as Liverpool downed AS Roma on penalties in the final in 1984—he also won six league titles and three domestic cups with the Reds.

4

View FullscreenClose

Thomas N'Kono of Cameroon

2. Thomas N’Kono was twice named African Footballer of the Year—the only goalkeeper to achieve the feat and placing him in company alongside Nwankwo Kanu, Didier Drogba and Roger Milla. He also made the podium on two further occasions, and was a Nations Cup winner with Cameroon in 1984, although it was rival Bell who started between the sticks on this occasion. However, N’Kono did feature as first-choice for the Indomitable Lions in two World Cups, with the Central Africans conceding just once in 1982.

5

View FullscreenClose

Essam El-Hadary Burkina Faso Egypt ACN 2017 01022017

1. Essam El-Hadary: The Egypt international has enjoyed the kind of success that no other African stopper past or present can match. He’s won four Nations Cups—no one has more—and has featured in a record seven tournaments. Drogba once named the veteran as his toughest all-time opponent—and he should know what makes a good keeper! He may have been denied another continental crown in 2017, but he has won eight Egyptian titles and four Caf Champions Leagues…it’s a remarkable haul, and testament to his class and longevity. He deserves his World Cup swansong.